Visions for Viola
Donation protected
Why is the viola called Bratsche in German?
That is the noise it makes when you step on it. ;)
Greetings! My name is Lauren Perala. I’m a violist and am currently completing my Master of Music Degree in Viola Performance from The Hartt School where I study with Rita Porfiris . I received my Bachelor of Music Degree in Viola Performance from Butler University’s Jordan College of the Arts where I studied with Richard Auldon Clark and Davis Brooks .
In addition to performing solo, chamber, and orchestral music during my time at Butler and The Hartt School, I have had a fantastic time working with young emerging composers to perform and premiere new music. A majority of the major works for viola would not exist if they had not been commissioned by, written by, or dedicated to a violist. So what better way to complete my second year of my master’s degree, than to commission FIVE of my composer colleagues to write new works for viola?
I have asked each of them to write a 5-8 minute (single or multiple movement) work for solo viola, viola and piano, or viola and fixed electronic media. In order to make this project a reality, I’m working to raise $1600 to help cover the cost of commissioning and recording each composer’s piece.
Please consider making a donation! Every dollar raised will go toward paying the composers and covering the cost of recording. No gift is too small – every dollar is appreciated, and in return for your donation you will receive a personal thank you card along with a CD of the completed album with cover art by studio artist Erin Kennedy! In addition to my required degree recital, I will also perform a second recital at the end of the spring semester to premiere the new commissions for viola!
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Lauren Perala
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Here are the five composers that I will have the pleasure of working with:
Kyle Grimm is a composer who specializes in both acoustic and electronic mediums. He graduated Magna cum Laude from Western Washington University with his B.M. in music composition in 2010, where his primary teachers were Roger Briggs and Brad Sherman. Immediately after graduation Kyle spent a summer studying composition with Samuel Adler in Berlin, Germany. Kyle is currently attending the Hartt School, where he is finishing up his last semester of his M.M. in composition. While at Hartt, he has studied composition with Ken Steen and Gilda Lyons, as well as played double bass under the direction of Robert Black and David Macbride. He will be returning in the fall to pursue his D.M.A. in music composition.
In 2014 Kyle was a recipient of the Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant to help realize his goals of self-promotion and score submissions. Other awards include talent scholarships from The Hartt School (2013-2016) as well as Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships.
Kyle is currently the co-artistic director of the Hartford New Music Festival.
Website: www.kylegrimmcomposer.com
Michael Henson (b.1988, Dallas) was raised in Mesquite, TX, where he was inspired by Robin Williams to become a voice actor. After spending a handful of years in private school, he began attending public school in 5th grade after his 4th grade teacher suggested he be "put on medication." While the other kids picked on him for being "too smart" (the large, 1980s-like glasses didn't help), he managed to make friends. At one point, he managed to pass a grading period without turning in his Egyptian pyramid project.
Michael earned a Master of Music in Composition at Butler University, where he studied composition with Michael Schelle and conducting with Richard Auldon Clark. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Henderson State University, where he studied composition with Phillip Schroeder and clarinet with Steve Becraft. He has had additional composition studies with film composer Christopher Young, Rocky Reuter, Nat Evans, Mark Snyder, Steve Bryant, and Zae Munn.
He currently resides in Plano, TX, where he teaches clarinet and colorguard, reads prose and poetry, contemplates human nature, and expands his knowledge of the cosmos.
Website: www.jmichaelhenson.com
New England-based Matthew Kennedy (b. 1987) is a rising composer of engaging solo, chamber, and orchestral music that has been performed across North America. Mr. Kennedy’s music has received numerous awards including residencies at the The Horned Dorset Artists Retreat (NY), The Mayapple Center for the Arts and Humanities (CT), Institute for Sustainable Living, Art, and Natural Design's (ISLAND) Hill House Artist Residency (MI), as well as honors from ASCAP, BMI, Society of Composers Inc, The Hartford Opera Theater, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council (CT). Mr. Kennedy recently completed doctoral studies in Composition at The Hartt School. Teachers have included Michael Schelle, Robert Carl, Larry Alan Smith, Elizabeth Brown, and Manuel Sosa.
Matthew is proudly a member of College Music Society, Society of Composers Inc., National Association of Music Educators, Percussion Arts Society, and has been featured on Composer’s Circle. His music is self-published and licensed through ASCAP. He currently teaches Composition and Theory at the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, CT. Matthew counts himself wonderfully fortunate to be married to studio artist Erin Kennedy. He and his wife currently reside in Newington, CT with their two daughters, Ivy Pearl and Amelia Harper.
Websites: www.facebook.com/kennedycomposer
www.soundcloud.com/kennedycomposer
Andrey Stolyarov (b. 1990) is a Russian-born American composer, conductor, and singer. Andrey’s recent achievements in composition include a residency at the Unitarian Society of Hartford and premieres in Switzerland, Germany, at the New Jersey ACDA conference, and at the Hartford CMEA conference. His piece "Ebb & Flow" won first prize at the 2014 ISAM Festival International Composition Competition in Ochsenhausen, Germany. Andrey is currently the Director of Music at West Avon Congregational Church in Avon, CT, and is singing with CONCORA, Connecticut's premiere professional choir. He holds a B.A. in Music (voice, composition, conducting concentrations) from Lehigh University ‘12, a M.M. in composition from The Hartt School ‘15, and will be returning to Hartt as a D.M.A. candidate in the fall of 2015. Andrey has studied composition with Steven Sametz, Paul Salerni, Robert Carl, Gilda Lyons, Jan Jirasek, Ofer Ben-Amots, Tania León, and Steven Stucky.
Websites: www.andreystolyarov.com
www.youtube.com/darushkii
www.soundcloud.com/andrey-stolyarov-1
Kyle Wernke is a Doctoral Candidate in Composition at the University of Hartford's The Hartt School where he studies composition with Ken Steen. Formerly, Wernke attended Butler University where he earned his Master of Music Degree in Conducting and his Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition.
An active composer, Wernke has recently had performances by the Hartt Wind Ensemble, Foot in the Door Ensemble, and The R3EDS. Wernke has also appeared as a guest composer and conductor at the Finger Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Geneva, NY. He served as the assistant conductor of the Butler Symphony Orchestra from 2009-2013. Wernke’s music has also been performed at the Soiree de Musicale in Luxembourg.
In addition to his compositional activities, Wernke is a passionate educator who currently teaches composition at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT. An ardent proponent of film music, Wernke has spent years studying the genre and has guest lectured on the topic at Butler University, The Hartt School, and the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival and Academy. Mr. Wernke has also worked in master classes with film composers Kevin Kiner and Christopher Young.
Recently, Wernke composed the music for the Hartt School's production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It. Upcoming projects include a commission for a new string quartet, Regatta, from the Finger Lakes Chamber Music Festival and a commission from the Fort Smith (AR) Symphony for a new work, Trumbull Sketches. In addition to these two commissions, Wernke is currently working on his doctoral dissertation, an operatic adaptation of Stephen King's The Wind Through the Keyhole.
Websites: www.kylewernkecomposer.com
www.soundcloud.com/kyle-wernke-1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
How many violists does it take to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies?
Ten. One to stir the batter, and nine to peel the M & M's.
That is the noise it makes when you step on it. ;)
Greetings! My name is Lauren Perala. I’m a violist and am currently completing my Master of Music Degree in Viola Performance from The Hartt School where I study with Rita Porfiris . I received my Bachelor of Music Degree in Viola Performance from Butler University’s Jordan College of the Arts where I studied with Richard Auldon Clark and Davis Brooks .
In addition to performing solo, chamber, and orchestral music during my time at Butler and The Hartt School, I have had a fantastic time working with young emerging composers to perform and premiere new music. A majority of the major works for viola would not exist if they had not been commissioned by, written by, or dedicated to a violist. So what better way to complete my second year of my master’s degree, than to commission FIVE of my composer colleagues to write new works for viola?
I have asked each of them to write a 5-8 minute (single or multiple movement) work for solo viola, viola and piano, or viola and fixed electronic media. In order to make this project a reality, I’m working to raise $1600 to help cover the cost of commissioning and recording each composer’s piece.
Please consider making a donation! Every dollar raised will go toward paying the composers and covering the cost of recording. No gift is too small – every dollar is appreciated, and in return for your donation you will receive a personal thank you card along with a CD of the completed album with cover art by studio artist Erin Kennedy! In addition to my required degree recital, I will also perform a second recital at the end of the spring semester to premiere the new commissions for viola!
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Lauren Perala
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the five composers that I will have the pleasure of working with:
Kyle Grimm is a composer who specializes in both acoustic and electronic mediums. He graduated Magna cum Laude from Western Washington University with his B.M. in music composition in 2010, where his primary teachers were Roger Briggs and Brad Sherman. Immediately after graduation Kyle spent a summer studying composition with Samuel Adler in Berlin, Germany. Kyle is currently attending the Hartt School, where he is finishing up his last semester of his M.M. in composition. While at Hartt, he has studied composition with Ken Steen and Gilda Lyons, as well as played double bass under the direction of Robert Black and David Macbride. He will be returning in the fall to pursue his D.M.A. in music composition.
In 2014 Kyle was a recipient of the Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant to help realize his goals of self-promotion and score submissions. Other awards include talent scholarships from The Hartt School (2013-2016) as well as Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships.
Kyle is currently the co-artistic director of the Hartford New Music Festival.
Website: www.kylegrimmcomposer.com
Michael Henson (b.1988, Dallas) was raised in Mesquite, TX, where he was inspired by Robin Williams to become a voice actor. After spending a handful of years in private school, he began attending public school in 5th grade after his 4th grade teacher suggested he be "put on medication." While the other kids picked on him for being "too smart" (the large, 1980s-like glasses didn't help), he managed to make friends. At one point, he managed to pass a grading period without turning in his Egyptian pyramid project.
Michael earned a Master of Music in Composition at Butler University, where he studied composition with Michael Schelle and conducting with Richard Auldon Clark. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Henderson State University, where he studied composition with Phillip Schroeder and clarinet with Steve Becraft. He has had additional composition studies with film composer Christopher Young, Rocky Reuter, Nat Evans, Mark Snyder, Steve Bryant, and Zae Munn.
He currently resides in Plano, TX, where he teaches clarinet and colorguard, reads prose and poetry, contemplates human nature, and expands his knowledge of the cosmos.
Website: www.jmichaelhenson.com
New England-based Matthew Kennedy (b. 1987) is a rising composer of engaging solo, chamber, and orchestral music that has been performed across North America. Mr. Kennedy’s music has received numerous awards including residencies at the The Horned Dorset Artists Retreat (NY), The Mayapple Center for the Arts and Humanities (CT), Institute for Sustainable Living, Art, and Natural Design's (ISLAND) Hill House Artist Residency (MI), as well as honors from ASCAP, BMI, Society of Composers Inc, The Hartford Opera Theater, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council (CT). Mr. Kennedy recently completed doctoral studies in Composition at The Hartt School. Teachers have included Michael Schelle, Robert Carl, Larry Alan Smith, Elizabeth Brown, and Manuel Sosa.
Matthew is proudly a member of College Music Society, Society of Composers Inc., National Association of Music Educators, Percussion Arts Society, and has been featured on Composer’s Circle. His music is self-published and licensed through ASCAP. He currently teaches Composition and Theory at the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, CT. Matthew counts himself wonderfully fortunate to be married to studio artist Erin Kennedy. He and his wife currently reside in Newington, CT with their two daughters, Ivy Pearl and Amelia Harper.
Websites: www.facebook.com/kennedycomposer
www.soundcloud.com/kennedycomposer
Andrey Stolyarov (b. 1990) is a Russian-born American composer, conductor, and singer. Andrey’s recent achievements in composition include a residency at the Unitarian Society of Hartford and premieres in Switzerland, Germany, at the New Jersey ACDA conference, and at the Hartford CMEA conference. His piece "Ebb & Flow" won first prize at the 2014 ISAM Festival International Composition Competition in Ochsenhausen, Germany. Andrey is currently the Director of Music at West Avon Congregational Church in Avon, CT, and is singing with CONCORA, Connecticut's premiere professional choir. He holds a B.A. in Music (voice, composition, conducting concentrations) from Lehigh University ‘12, a M.M. in composition from The Hartt School ‘15, and will be returning to Hartt as a D.M.A. candidate in the fall of 2015. Andrey has studied composition with Steven Sametz, Paul Salerni, Robert Carl, Gilda Lyons, Jan Jirasek, Ofer Ben-Amots, Tania León, and Steven Stucky.
Websites: www.andreystolyarov.com
www.youtube.com/darushkii
www.soundcloud.com/andrey-stolyarov-1
Kyle Wernke is a Doctoral Candidate in Composition at the University of Hartford's The Hartt School where he studies composition with Ken Steen. Formerly, Wernke attended Butler University where he earned his Master of Music Degree in Conducting and his Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition.
An active composer, Wernke has recently had performances by the Hartt Wind Ensemble, Foot in the Door Ensemble, and The R3EDS. Wernke has also appeared as a guest composer and conductor at the Finger Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Geneva, NY. He served as the assistant conductor of the Butler Symphony Orchestra from 2009-2013. Wernke’s music has also been performed at the Soiree de Musicale in Luxembourg.
In addition to his compositional activities, Wernke is a passionate educator who currently teaches composition at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT. An ardent proponent of film music, Wernke has spent years studying the genre and has guest lectured on the topic at Butler University, The Hartt School, and the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival and Academy. Mr. Wernke has also worked in master classes with film composers Kevin Kiner and Christopher Young.
Recently, Wernke composed the music for the Hartt School's production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It. Upcoming projects include a commission for a new string quartet, Regatta, from the Finger Lakes Chamber Music Festival and a commission from the Fort Smith (AR) Symphony for a new work, Trumbull Sketches. In addition to these two commissions, Wernke is currently working on his doctoral dissertation, an operatic adaptation of Stephen King's The Wind Through the Keyhole.
Websites: www.kylewernkecomposer.com
www.soundcloud.com/kyle-wernke-1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
How many violists does it take to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies?
Ten. One to stir the batter, and nine to peel the M & M's.
Organizer
Lauren Perala
Organizer
West Hartford, CT
